Novak Djokovic: Still a Court Jester?

Novak Djokovic during his post-match interview after beating Sam Querrey.

Getty Images

Is the Djoker still a joker?

Novak Djokovic, who advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Saturday, is back atop the tennis rankings after a whirlwind 2014 season that included some frustrating major losses as well as big changes at home, with a new wife and a baby on the way.

The ups and downs had Djokovic feeling “emotionally drained” as recently as three weeks ago, he said. But the 27-year-old Serbian — who initially built a reputation in tennis as something of a ham — is starting to show glimpses of his goofy side again in Flushing.

On Saturday, following his 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over American Sam Querrey, he joked about being accidentally kicked out of his quiet room in the gym by fellow countrywoman Aleksandra Krunic. “I hope she kicks me out every single day so she keeps on winning,” he said. (The unranked Krunic upset Petra Kvitova, this year’s Wimbledon champion, earlier Saturday.)

Earlier this week, Djokovic gamely grooved to Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” in front of an afternoon crowd at Arthur Ashe, a return to his awkward form after a dancing drought at the 2013 Open.

Djokovic’s silly side isn’t as pronounced as it has been in earlier Opens. In 2012, he made the song of summer, “Call Me Maybe,” his crowd-raising victory anthem following matches at that year’s tournament. And last year, he poked fun at a stenographer during a news conference, jumping up from his desk to wrest control of the keyboard and type in his own remarks.

Until this year, Djokovic’s most significant off-court distractions had been discussions of his high-maintenence gluten-free diet and his use of a $75,000 pressurized napping pod. His recent marriage to longtime girlfriend Jelena Ristic, who is pregnant with the couple’s first child, has grounded Djokovic, speaking often this tournament about her influence in his life and her commitment to helping him become the best in his sport.

Asked on Saturday if he felt more pressure to be serious, given the ups and downs of his game this year as well as his new responsibilities at home, Djokovic said that wasn’t the case.

“I feel just as a more fulfilled person in general. I’m so happy and very grateful for the life that I have. So knowing in the back of my mind that I’m going to become a father, all these things just can give me very positive influence and joy in my life,” he said.

As if prepared to show a more scripted, paternal side to the press, Djokovic then introduced 9-year-old Zia Uehling, who he described as a budding singer-songwriter. “She’s a prodigy, a future star,” he said, after which she sang a self-written song dedicated to children in Africa. The young Uehling is the daughter of Gordon Uehling III, a Djokovic friend.

The performance attracted a small scrum around Zia, and Djokovic joked amongst his handlers that the distraction had worked. “Look, they all want to talk to you!” he said, instead of himself.

SPORTS, THE JOURNAL WAY

Be sure to check your Daily Fix all week long. The Fix's daily rundown of the best sportswriting on the Web is joined by features such as The Count, a look at the most revealing sports stats, as well as regular live reports of major sports events. Tell us what you think of the Fix at dailyfixlinks@gmail.com.

In baseball, there is a long-standing tradition of pro teams inviting college teams to play them in preseason exhibitions. A look at this odd tradition, and the awkward, no-win situations it creates for the pros.